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With a record-breaking winter and many regions experiencing months of relentless snowfall, motorists should remain vigilant when driving over potholes, caution the experts at Hankook Tire. According to the company’s Quarterly Gauge Index, just 14 percent of drivers follow the correct protocol when maneuvering around potholes.

Hankook encourages drivers to adhere to these tips when approaching a pothole:

Don't Swerve – Dodging a pothole by swerving can lead to accidents with other cars because you're not staying in your lane. Instead, AAA advises that drivers safely slow down as much as possible to prevent any potential damage to your vehicle's tires, wheels or suspension components.

Check Your Tires – The Quarterly Gauge Index found that 45 percent of Americans have sustained damage to their vehicle when driving over a pothole. Whether it's a blown tire, bent rims or broken suspension components, hitting a pothole can cause serious damage to your car. Make sure you check your tires after going over one, even if you don't think any damage was done.

Learn to Change a Tire – According to the Quarterly Gauge Index, 22 percent of Americans do not know how to change a tire. Learn the process and always make sure you pack a spare tire in your trunk.

Despite a significant share of Americans neglecting retirement savings, it is never too early or too late to start saving. According to a recent survey by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling® (NFCC), 32 percent of Americans are not contributing any portion of their household income toward retirement savings.

To help you prepare for a secure retirement, consider these tips:

1. Between the age of 21 and 30, the cost of education becomes a major hurdle as the long process of student loan repayment begins. Trouble with this debt can put retirement savings plans on hold. Getting help from a nonprofit student loan counselor at this stage can help avoid costly interruptions in growing retirement savings.

2. Building wealth is an essential goal for people between the age of 30 and 45. In addition to retirement savings, homeownership allows people to build equity in their property as they pay down their mortgages. To stay on track, it is wise to get advice from financial counselors through free programs, like the NFCC’s Sharpen Your Financial Focus initiative (www.sharpentoday.org).

3. After the age of 45, it is a good idea to increase contributions toward retirement savings while reducing budget expenses. Downsizing should also include credit card debt. If debt management is a problem, speaking with a nonprofit credit counselor is a good way to identify solutions.
Source: NFCC